You will have been hearing a lot about coercive control on the news of late. The current epidemic of male violence and abuse perpetrated against female partners and ex-partners has the nation talking.

People now realise too that you don’t have to experience physical violence to be a victim of domestic violence.

Violence can be sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, social and religious, as well as physical.

The highest risk of violence is at separation; when one partner says they’re leaving. Coercive control is a feature of many relationships where violence plays a role. That feeling of walking on eggshells is all too familiar to many family law clients. And it sometimes doesn’t end with the relationship…

Some perpetrators try to use the legal system to continue their control and abuse after separation. This is called systems abuse or legal abuse. Partnering with a family lawyer who is aware of how this works can help progress your matter and provide support to you and your children during the process. Call Town & Country Family Law for a free initial consultation, wherever you are and whatever stage you’re at in your separation. We’d love to help.

Are you wondering if coercive control is a feature of your relationship? You might recognise it in your friends’ or family relationships also. It is a multi-faceted dragon but there are some predictable signs.

12 Signs of Coercive Control include the following:-

1. Isolating you from your family and friends.
2. Monitoring you throughout the day. This can be by calling you frequently, texting you, GPS tracking on your device or via social media.
3. Denying you freedom or autonomy.
4. Gaslighting you – where the abuser makes you doubt your own truth, experience and sanity by insisting they are always right, even when there is evidence to the contrary. Telling you ‘you’re crazy’ if your views differ and that ‘no-one would believe you anyway’.
5. Name-calling, verbal abuse and severe criticism.
6. Limiting your access to money and controlling the finances.
7. Reinforcing traditional gender roles and expecting you to do all the cooking, childcare and cleaning at home.
8. Turning your children against you.
9. Controlling aspects of your health and your body. Controlling contraception.
10. Making jealous accusations about time you spend with family, co-workers or friends.
11. Controlling your sexual relationship.
12. Threatening your children or pets as an extreme form of intimidation.

We can help you resolve your property settlement and we will get it done. You won’t be alone.

Contact Town & Country Family Law for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about your situation today.

It’s not easy but the sooner you start, the sooner you finish it.